The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-09-03
GOOD DAY FOR REPTILES.


One day last week, says Lock Haven
Pa.) correspondent of the New York Sun,
Squire Clark and John Liggett, survey
ors, were running out some lots along Rat
tlesnake Run in TINS county, and during
the day bagged thirteen immense rattle
snakes Three Of them the Squire had to
chase hundred yards or more, and he
came near losing them in the rocks. Two
Of them John Lggett stepped on. One of
these tried to strike John in the foot, but
not being coiled for accurate work, missed
the foot and sank its fangs in his own
body. Five Of the snakes stood their
ground nicely, and made the two men earn
their rattles by gamey fighting.
William Rhineholt and Frank Jay, Of
Philadelphia, went up the Run the same
day to camp week and fish for trout
They came back to this place that night.
They had six big rattlesnakes, and said
they got away from six others. They will
trout on some other creek.
Jerry Brady, who works for John s.
Strickland on his farm near Middletown,
was narrowing IN field on Friday, when
big black snake came out of hollow
stump and made an attack on one of the
mules. Brady was driving. Brady struck
at the snake with his whip, when it left
Brady took to his heels and the snake fol-
lowed. He stoppe at stone heap on the
field and turned on the approaching snake
and began stoning it. He missed it every
time. The snake kept right on, and as it
came within a yard of Brady he mechanic
ally struck at it with his whip. The lash
wound around the snakes head and fast
ened itself there. The snake seemed sur
prised at the situation, and tuned to get
away Brady held on to the whip, and
succeeded in laying couple OF big stones
on the reptiles head and dispatched it. It
was more than six feet long, and was of
the racer species. During the day Brady
killed eight more of the same kind Of SER
penis, besides two copperheads. He says
it was the best days narrowing he ever
did.
Elias Moser, of Lynn township, Lehigh
County, is one Of the most trustworthy
citizens of that county. He owns big
farm, and is strictly temperate and pious
man. A few days ago, he says, he was
going along the edge of a piece of woods
on his farm when he saw the head Of what
he supposed was simply very large
specimen of the ordinary black snake
sticking out between the bottom rails
of q fence. He up with stone and tried
the rail above it. The instant the stone
belonged to began to come out from its
hiding place. Farmer Moser backed
away, and section after section of the
snake appeared until the reptile stretched
over more than twelve feet Of the space
between the farmer and the fence, and
still there was more to come. Moser had
seen enough, and turned his back on the
serpent and started for home. After he
had run several rods he looked back over
his shoulder. The snake was after him
and gaining on him, carrying its head
high above the ground. Moser mounted
high stone wall that offered It's friendly
presence just at that spot, and jumped
down behind it on the other side. The
snake glided up the wall and followed the
farmer. Moser says he knew there was
no use trying to beat the snake in foot
race, and so he grabbed big stone of the
wall and hurled it at the advancing mon
ster. Luckily the stone hit the snake just
back of the head and bore it down to the
ground and held it there. While the serpent
twisted and kicked and dashed it's immense
length in vain efforts to free itself, Moser
piled more stones on it, and finally mashed
its head. Then he hurried home and got
his hired man and his gun. When he
came back thus reinforced the snake was
dead. It was carried to the Moser home
stead and measured. 1t was sixteen and
one-half feet long. 1t had two broad white
rings around it's neck and white belly.
All the rest of it was blush black. The
head was long, pointed and fiat. Local
naturalists say it was king snake, but no
serpent OF the kind was ever seen in these
parts before.